Save the file using a new file name (careful not to save over any of your existing files).If you’re unsure about a difference, then you may need to consult the source of your data. For any conflicts, select the variable(s) and click the Accept button.You can drag and drop variables here to match up ones that haven’t been identified automatically, or if you know that one variable should match another but is listed as new. You will see a large dialogue that shows which variables are matched between the files.Decide which file you would prefer in case of conflict Prefer current file may ensure fewer issues in your Q project if there are differences between the files.When prompted, click Browse for the Donor data file and select File B.Go to Tools > Merge Data Files > Add New Cases….Open Q and load File A using File > Data Sets > Add to Project > From File.To merge in new cases, where your existing data file is “File A” and the file with new cases is “File B,” take these steps: The process creates a new SPSS file that contains all of the respondents from both files. When merging new cases, both data files must be in the SPSS. In the context of survey data, “cases” refers to “respondents.” If you need to merge in a new wave of data to your existing tracking data file, then this is the tool to use. Merging data is one such occasion, which is why we will work exclusively with our data files outside of an existing project file (in case we save the wrong thing). However, there are occasions when you want to work with the source data file. This is great from a risk management perspective. These changes exist only in your Q project. csv file), is never altered by the actions you take in the program. The original data file remains unchanged when you create new variables in Q, delete cases, or re-order variables in the Variables and Questions tab. When you work with a data file in Q, the file that contains the actual data (e.g. If you are including additional data for the existing respondents in your study, then you want to use the option for adding new variables. If you are adding new respondents from the same study, then you want to merge by adding new cases.
#MERGE DATASETS IN SPSS CODE HOW TO#
Then I’ll run through the instructions on how to merge in new cases and new variables. I’ll start by explaining some of the underlying theory on how files interact with Q. For more on the different scenarios when this may be relevant, see my article What is data merging? In this article, I’ll provide some guidance on how to merge data files in Q.